Hill may seek Millichip role

THE chairman of the Football Association, Sir Bert Millichip, who had been expected to stand down after next summer's European Championship finals, has indicated that he is ready to stay on. He is likely to face opposition for the role, however - possibly from Jimmy Hill, it is believed - in which case Sir Bert may withdraw.

Sir Bert will be 82 shortly after the finals, which were thought would be his swansong. He now says, however: "I am very conscious of how old I am but I don't think age always comes into these matters. If I were requested to carry on, I would give it serious consideration. After 15 years as chairman of the FA, I am much more experienced than when I started the job, and I feel a lot younger today than when I started."

A recent criticism of Sir Bert has been his desire to see Terry Venables given a contract as England coach until 1999, when he himself would not be in office. It is now possible that that may change.

Sir Bert is, however, unlikely to be willing to take part in any election, and it is understood that others are willing to stand, including Geoff Thompson, chairman of the FA disciplinary committee, and Hill, the Fulham chairman, member of the FA Council and television analyst.

It was put to Sir Bert than there was no obvious successor. "You wouldn't wish me to comment on that," he replied.